Cross-tie pre-plate apparatus

ABSTRACT

A railroad cross-tie pre-plating apparatus for fastening at least two tie-plates to a cross-tie may include a cross-tie conveyor comprising a first end and a second end, with a cross-tie positioning mechanism positioned proximate the second end. The cross-tie positioning mechanism may include a stop member configured to prevent the movement of the cross-tie and a positioning rail positioned on a lateral side of the cross-tie conveyor. The cross-tie positioning mechanism may also include a positioning member configured to position the cross-tie against the positioning rail. The apparatus may also include at least two tie-plate positioning mechanisms, each configured to position at least one tie-plate on a cross-tie. The apparatus may also include a gauge positioned superior to the cross-tie positioning mechanism to hold the at least two tie-plates in position relative to one another as the at least two tie-plates are spiked.

BACKGROUND

A cross-tie is a generally rectangular item that is used to support therails of railroad tracks. Cross-ties transfer the load of the railroadto the track ballast and subgrade and maintain the rails in the correctrelative orientation and gauge. Cross-ties are typically comprised ofwood, although they may be comprised of other materials, such asconcrete, plastic, steel and others. Cross-ties also include plates thatare positioned on the tie and are secured in place using railroadspikes. In typical applications, two plates will be secured to across-tie. Additional plates may be affixed to a cross-tie if needed.The two plates must be spaced apart by the distance between the tworails. The uniform distance between the plates, and consequentially therails, is preferred. Railroad rails include a broad lower portion thatfits within the railroad plate. Spikes are driven through the plate andinclude an offset head that secures the rail to the plate and to thecross-tie.

In some applications, particularly where a track is being repaired,cross-ties will be prepared at the work site immediately before they areused. In repairing track, it is often necessary to set each plateseparately as the rail is laid into it. In other applications,particularly those involving new lines of railroad track, cross-ties canbe prepared in a large quantity. They can be prepared either at the worksite, or alternatively can be prepared at a distant location andtransported to the site. The process of affixing plates to cross-tiesbefore they are used on the railroad track is commonly referred to aspre-plating.

Wooden cross-ties are roughly cut and typically do not conform touniform dimensions. Cross-ties are not rigorously sorted and thereforebundled with varying grades resulting in cross-ties with slightlydifferent dimensions being pre-plated at the same time. The cross-tiesare not exactly the same and the pre-plating process of cross-ties iscomplicated because the slight variations require different placement ofthe plates on the cross-ties. Although the cross-ties themselves canvary in dimensions, it is necessary for the plates to be accuratelypositioned. That is, it is necessary for the plates themselves to beparallel to one another and the distance between the plates to beuniform for each of the ties. It is preferable for each of the plates tobe laterally centered on the cross-tie and the first plate positioned aset distance from the first end or line side. Because the cross-tieshave varying widths and lengths the plates are not placed in the sameexact position on the cross-tie. Slight variations in the cross-tiesrequire slightly different placement of the plates. Although the platesare placed in slightly different locations on the cross-tie, it is stillnecessary that they remain separated by the appropriate distance and besubstantially parallel.

SUMMARY

The invention provides, in one aspect, a railroad cross-tie pre-platingapparatus for fastening at least two tie-plates to a cross-tie. Theapparatus may include a cross-tie conveyor comprising a first end and asecond end. The apparatus may include a cross-tie positioning mechanismpositioned proximate the second end. The cross-tie positioning mechanismmay include a stop member configured to prevent the movement of thecross-tie along the cross-tie conveyor. The cross-tie positioningmechanism may also include a positioning rail positioned on a lateralside of the cross-tie conveyor. The cross-tie positioning mechanism mayalso include a positioning member configured to position the cross-tieagainst the positioning rail. The cross-tie pre-plating apparatus mayalso include at least two tie-plate positioning mechanisms, eachconfigured to position at least one tie-plate on a cross-tie. Thetie-plate positioning mechanisms may include a tie-plate positioningmember configured to engage the tie-plate and position the tie plate onthe cross-tie. The apparatus may also include a gauge positionedsuperior to the cross-tie positioning mechanism and configured to holdthe at least two tie-plates in position relative to one another as theat least two tie-plates are spiked to the cross-tie.

The cross-tie pre-plate apparatus, according to another aspect of theinvention, may also include an in-feed system. The in-feed system mayinclude an in-feed conveyor configured to support a plurality ofcross-ties and to move the cross-ties toward the cross-tie conveyor. Thein-feed system may also include an in-feed stop member connected to thein-feed conveyor and configured to selectively prevent the motion ofcross-tie toward the cross-tie conveyor. The in-feed stop member may berotatably connected to the in-feed conveyor. The in-feed stop member maybe hydraulically rotatable. The in-feed conveyor may be substantiallyperpendicular to the cross-tie conveyor.

According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus may furthercomprise an out-feed system. The out-feed system may include an out-feedconveyor positioned in line with the cross-tie conveyor and configuredto receive the cross-tie with at least two tie-plates affixed thereto.The out-feed system may also include a finished cross-tie conveyorconfigured to receive the cross-tie with at least two tie-plates affixedthereto. The out-feed system may also include a lifting mechanismengaging the out-feed conveyor and configured to lift the out-feedconveyor to move the cross-tie with at least two tie-plates affixedthereto into the finished cross-tie conveyor. The lifting mechanism mayinclude a hydraulic cylinder.

According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus may alsoinclude at least one control mechanism attached to the cross-tieconveyor and configured to manipulate the apparatus. The apparatus mayinclude at least one guard connected to the cross-tie conveyor anddisposed above the at least one control mechanism, the at least oneguard selectively positionable in at least two positions, including afirst position and a second position. In the first position, the guardmay be disposed above the at least one control mechanism. In the secondposition the guard may be perpendicularly disposed in front of at leastone of the cross-tie positioning mechanisms.

According to another aspect of the invention, the stop member mayinclude at least one stop shim removably mounted on the stop member andconfigured to control the position of the cross-tie on the cross-tieconveyor. The positioning member may include a generally cylindricalmember oriented parallel to the positioning rail. The positioning membermay include a hydraulic cylinder connected to the cylindrical member andconfigured to position the generally cylindrical member against thepositioning rail.

According to another aspect of the invention, the at least two tie-platepositioning mechanisms may each include a hydraulic cylinder connectedto the tie-plate positioning member and be configured to position thetie-plate on the cross-tie. The at least two tie-plate positioningmechanisms may also include a tie-plate container configured to retainat least two vertically stacked tie-plates.

According to another aspect of the invention, the gauge may include atleast two plate engaging portions having a width substantially equal tothe width of a railroad rail and a gauge member connected to the atleast two plate engaging portions. The length between the at least twoplate engaging portions may be substantially equal to the distancebetween two railroad rails.

The apparatus may also include a diesel engine coupled to a hydraulicpump and configured to supply hydraulic fluid. The apparatus may alsoinclude at least one hydraulic cooler coupled to the hydraulic pump andconfigured to cool the hydraulic fluid. The apparatus may also compriseframe connected to and supporting the cross-tie conveyor and the atleast two plate positioning mechanisms.

Other additional features and benefits will become apparent from thefollowing drawings and descriptions of the invention. Other embodimentsand aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and areconsidered a part of the claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the end of thespecification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantagesof the apparatus are apparent from the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cross-tie pre-plate apparatus; inaccordance with an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one end of an in-feed conveyor of thecross-tie pre-plate apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect ofthe invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an in-feed conveyor and a plate affixingmechanism of the cross-tie pre-plate apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordancewith an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a plate affixing mechanism and across-tie stop of the cross-tie pre-plate apparatus of FIG. 1, inaccordance with an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a cross-tie positioning member of thecross-tie pre-plate apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect ofthe invention;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a cross-tie conveyor and two spikingmechanisms of the cross-tie pre-plate apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordancewith an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the spiking mechanism and a gauge of thecross-tie pre-plate apparatus of FIG. 1, the gauge engaging twotie-plates, in accordance with an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective-rear view of an out-feed portion of thecross-tie pre-plate apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect ofthe invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective-rear view of an out-feed portion of thecross-tie pre-plate apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect ofthe invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective-side view of a tie-plate positioning mechanismof the cross-tie pre-plate apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with anaspect of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a top view of a tie-plate positioning mechanism of thecross-tie pre-plate apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect ofthe invention;

FIG. 12 is a front view of one end of the gauge holding a tie-plate asit is spiked, in accordance with an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the cross-tie pre-plate apparatus ofFIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect of the invention; and

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram showing the steps of the process ofpre-plating a cross-tie using the cross-tie pre-plate apparatus of FIG.1, in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of thecross-tie pre-plate apparatus, reference will now be made to theembodiments, or examples, illustrated in the drawings and specificlanguage will be used to describe these. It will nevertheless beunderstood that no limitation of the scope of the apparatus is therebyintended. Any alterations and further modifications in the describedembodiments, and any further applications of the principles as describedherein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in theart to which the cross-tie pre-plate apparatus relates.

In this detailed description and the following claims, the wordslateral, longitudinal, superior and inferior, are defined by theirstandard usage for indicating particular part of a cross-tie or thecross-tie pre-plating apparatus, the relative disposition of thecross-tie or the cross-tie pre-plating apparatus, or directional termsof reference. For example, lateral indicates at the sides of thenarrower dimensions of a cross-tie, while longitudinal indicates aspectsrelative to the length rather than the width of the cross-tie. Superioris intended to refer to an object or direction above, while inferiorindicates an object or direction below another object or structure.

The operation of the cross-tie pre-plate apparatus of the presentdisclosure may be configured and capable of creating pre-platedcross-ties at a rate of approximately 100 per hour. In addition to thisrate of production, the apparatus of the present disclosure is operatedprimarily by hydraulic control and is therefore not susceptible toelectrical malfunction. In addition, the limited number of moving partsprovides for a simple operation. The interchangeability of variouselements allows for the apparatus to be quickly and easily adapted forvarious cross-tie specifications.

One embodiment of cross-tie pre-plate apparatus constructed inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure isdepicted in FIG. 1. Apparatus 10 may include an infeed conveyor system12, a plate affixing mechanism 14 and an outfeed conveyor system 16.Cross-ties are placed on the infeed conveyor system 12 by a wheel loaderor other known means of depositing cross-ties and the cross-ties arethen pulled toward the plate affixing mechanism 14. Infeed conveyorsystem 12 may be positioned at a first end 18 of plate affixingmechanism 14. Cross-ties travel along the infeed conveyor system 12 andare deposited one at a time on the plate affixing mechanism 14. Theplate affixing mechanism 14 is provided to affix plates to thecross-tie. The outfeed conveyor system 16 is provided to move thecross-ties away from the plate-affixing mechanism 14.

A schematic diagram, in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure is depicted in FIG. 13. Apparatus 10 is shown includinginfeed conveyor system 12, plate affixing mechanism 14, outfeed conveyorsystem 16 and a plate positioning mechanism 702. As discussed in furtherdetail herein, cross-ties are placed on infeed conveyor system 12 andare pulled toward and into plate affixing mechanism 14. Once a cross-tieis disposed within plate affixing mechanism 14, it may be positioned fortie-plates or plates to be affixed thereto. Plate positioning mechanism702 may be disposed generally superior to or as a part of plate affixingmechanism 14. Plate positioning mechanism 702 may include a platepositioning member 706 that is configured to engage a plate and positionthe plate on a cross-tie.

Again referring to the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1, cross-tiesare placed on infeed conveyor system 12, transported along infeedconveyor system 12, and fed into plate affixing mechanism 14. Cross-tiesmay be then moved along plate affixing mechanism 14 and the plates arethen affixed to the cross-ties according to desired specifications.After plates have been affixed to the cross-ties, the cross-ties exitplate affixing mechanism 14 through second end 20 and are moved onto anoutfeed conveyor system 16. The cross-ties may be manually removed fromapparatus 10, for example with a wheel loader or other known means ofremoving cross-ties.

Apparatus 10 may also include a diesel engine 30. Diesel engine 30supplies hydraulic fluid and hydraulic force to hydraulic cylinders andmotors throughout apparatus 10. The various hydraulic cylinders andmotors throughout the apparatus are discussed in more detail below.Hydraulic cylinders may be utilized to operate, for example, an infeedtie stop, a tie stop along the conveyor of the plate affixing mechanism,a positioning member to position a cross-tie against a rail, to lift apart of the outfeed conveyor, and/or to raise or lower the plate gauge.Hydraulic engines can be operated to pull chains or turn rotatablecylinders which in turn transport cross-ties throughout the apparatus10. Diesel engine 30 may include a fan 32, one example of a hydrauliccooler, to cool hydraulic fluid.

According to other solutions, a cross-tie is stopped prior to enteringthe plate affixing mechanism as a part of the infeed conveyor system.These other solutions rely on gravity to feed the un-plated cross-tiesdown the infeed conveyor toward the plate affixing mechanism andassociated conveyor. At the end of the infeed conveyor closest to theplate affixing mechanism, the infeed conveyor is recessed and a lip isformed on the frame of the infeed conveyor. The ties, due to gravity,come to rest against this lip. The end of the infeed conveyor is thenraised to position an un-plated cross-tie above the lip and allow onecross-tie to move onto the plate affixing mechanism. Because the infeedconveyor relies on gravity, the cross-ties may not move at a ratesufficient to maximize operator time. In addition the gravity-feednature of the infeed conveyor of these other solutions results injamming of the cross-ties.

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of an end of infeed conveyor system 12 inaccordance with an aspect of the present disclosure that is positionednext to pre-plate affixing mechanism 14. Infeed conveyor system 12includes a frame 202 to support cross-ties. Chains 204 may be positionedon frame 202 and may be pulled by an axel 206. The rotation of axel 206may be driven by a hydraulic motor 208. Infeed conveyor system 12 mayalso include an infeed tie stop 210. Infeed tie stop 210 is provided tostop the forward motion of cross-ties when a cross-tie is already placedin the plate affixing mechanism 14. Chains 204, axel 206 and hydraulicmotor 208 cooperate to pull cross-ties along infeed conveyor system 12toward pre-plate affixing mechanism 14.

Infeed tie stop 210 may be positioned at the end of infeed conveyorsystem 12 closest to pre-plate affixing mechanism 14. Infeed tie stop210 may include two substantially parallel projections 212 permanentlyaffixed to a rotatable member 214. Rotatable member 214 may be attachedto a hydraulic cylinder 216. The operation of hydraulic cylinder 216 maycause the rotation of rotatable member 214 and position parallelprojections 212 in a generally vertical position to stop the advancementof cross-ties. Several cross-ties may be placed on the infeed conveyorsystem 12 at the same time. The cross-ties may not be perfectly aligned,and are typically deposited at the end of infeed conveyor system 12furthest from plate affixing mechanism 14. Therefore, it is necessary toadvance the cross-ties along infeed conveyor system 12 toward plateaffixing mechanism 14 before each of the cross-ties is brought intoplate affixing mechanism 14. Infeed tie stop 210 aligns the cross-tiesin approximately the proper orientation for manipulation into plateaffixing mechanism 14. This alignment prevents jamming and interferencewhen the cross-ties are brought into plate affixing mechanism 14.Cross-ties may also be spaced apart from one another when placed ontothe infeed conveyor system 12. When the infeed tie stop 210 is engaged,the cross-ties can be pulled against the infeed tie stop 210 and thespaces and/or gaps between cross-ties can be eliminated. By eliminatingthe gaps and spaces cross-ties are quickly brought into plate-affixingmechanism 14.

FIG. 3 depicts an example of one end of infeed conveyor 12 and first end18 of plate affixing mechanism 14 constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure. Infeed conveyor 12 may include atie guide member 220 which guides the cross-tie from infeed conveyor 12to plate affixing mechanism 14. At first end 18, a rail 302 may beprovided to stop a cross-tie from falling off of the apparatus 10. Rail302 also operates as a guide to orient the cross-tie. A cross-tie mayalso be positioned against rail 302 to provide for smooth and easyintroduction into plate affixing mechanism 14. First end 18 may alsoinclude introduction guides 304, which may be angled members to guidethe cross-tie into plate affixing mechanism 14. In addition, first end18 may also have a rotatable cylinder 306. Rotatable cylinder 306 may beprovided to support a cross-tie and may rotate to move the cross-tiealong plate affixing mechanism 14. Rotatable cylinder 306 may be rotatedby a chain 308, which is in turn attached to and rotated by a hydraulicmotor (not shown). As shown, a plurality of rotatable cylinders 306 maybe placed in series for the support and transport of cross-ties. Othermeans of conveying a cross-tie through a plate affixing mechanism suchas, for example, a conveyor or a low-friction surface are within thescope of the disclosure.

In other pre-plate apparatuses, an operator is required to move across-tie to the proper position for plating based on sight alone. Theoperator can reposition the tie by operating the rollers or otherconveying means in reverse. However, that does not guarantee uniformpositioning of the plates relative to the first end or line side of thecross-tie. As a consequence, the plates are not always the same distancefrom the line side of the cross-tie. This results in uncertainty andimprecise placement when arranging cross-ties as a part of a railroadtrack.

One example of a plate affixing mechanism 14 of the present disclosurewhere the tie stop 400 is placed in an extended position is shown inFIG. 4. Tie stop 400 may be positioned in an upright position as shownin FIG. 4, and aligned to stop a cross-tie from moving through plateaffixing mechanism 14. Tie stop 400 is positioned in the extendingposition to stop the progress of the cross-tie through the plateaffixing mechanism 14. Tie stop 400 positions the cross-tie at theappropriate position for proper plate positioning. Alternatively, tiestop 400 may be hydraulically operated so that it is inferior to thepath of the cross-tie such that it does not stop the forward motion of across-tie caused by rotating cylinder 306 (not shown), and principallyto permit the passage of a plated cross-tie to exit the plate affixingmechanism 14. Tie stop 400 may include at least one tie stop shim 402.Tie stop shim 402 is removably attached to tie stop 400 to alter thepositioning of a cross-tie. The dimensions of tie stop shim 402 may bevaried in order to position cross-ties at different positions within theplate affixing mechanism 14. It may be necessary to adjust the positionof the cross-tie relative to the position of the plates. The first plateis positioned relative to line side of the cross-tie which is in contactwith tie stop 400. The distance between the end of the cross-tie and theplate can be adjusted by the addition of tie stop shim 402 which changesthe resting position of the cross-tie. The tie stop 400 may behydraulically operated between the operative position capable ofengaging the cross-tie and the inferior position (not shown).

In other solutions, a top inverted u-shaped template and a bottomu-shaped template are provided for the lateral positioning of thecross-tie. The top template engages the top portion of the cross-tie,and the bottom template engages the bottom portion of the cross-tie. Thetemplates are coupled together and in cooperation with a spring, thecross-tie is positioned for the placement of plates.

One example of a tie positioning member 500, which is located within theplate affixing mechanism 14, in accordance with the principles of thepresent disclosure, is shown in FIG. 5. Initially, tie positioningmember 500 is positioned away from the path of the cross-tie as thecross-tie is advanced through the plate affixing mechanism 14. Tiepositioning member 500 may then be moved to contact the cross-tie and tobring the cross-tie into contact with rail 302. In this way thecross-tie is appropriately positioned such that the plates can easilyand quickly be placed on the cross-tie such that they are certain to beparallel and have the proper orientation with respect to the cross-tie.The tie positioning member 500 may be operatively connected to ahydraulic cylinder (not shown). The hydraulic cylinder may be connectedto the inferior aspect of tie positioning member 500, and operative torotate tie positioning member 500 into contact with the cross-tie.Alternatively, tie positioning member 500 may be connected to thehydraulic cylinder which may move the tie positioning member in alateral fashion to push the cross-tie against rail 302. The positioningof the cross-tie against rail 302 by tie positioning member 500 and tiestop 400 (shown in FIG. 4) causes the cross-tie to be in a uniform homeposition which allows the operators of the apparatus 10 to easily placeplates on cross-ties.

In other pre-plate machines, the relative positioning of the plates isprovided by gravity fed plate conveyors. Two gravity plate conveyorseach dispense a plate in the approximate position on a cross-tie. Theplates are then individually and separately manipulated by a complexmeans of positioning the plates relative to the cross-tie. The platesare positioned by a template which at least in part surrounds the plateand a positioning mechanism that pushes the plate within the template.However, the distance between the plates and the parallel orientation ofthe plates is compromised because the plates are separately adjusted.

FIG. 7 depicts a view of a plate affixing mechanism 14, constructed inaccordance with one of the aspects of the present invention. Here,plates have been positioned on the cross-tie. The plates are positionedon the cross-tie by a plate positioning mechanism 702, which is shown inmore detail in FIG. 11. Plate positioning mechanism 702 may include ahydraulic cylinder 704 and a plate positioning member 706. Platepositioning member 706, in conjunction with the hydraulic cylinder 704,may engage a plate and push the plate from the bottom of a stack ofplates. Although, the plates do not necessarily have to be stacked. Theoperator may operate the hydraulic cylinder 704 until the plate ispositioned in the center of the cross-tie. Although the operator mustrely on his sight and judgment alone, he is only concerned withlaterally centering the plate on the cross-tie, and does not have toalign the plate with the other plate in a parallel fashion because thetie is set in the uniform home position. The hydraulic cylinder 704 alsosupports additional plates in the stack until the plate positioningmember 706 is withdrawn and the plates are allowed to descend. Afterplates are affixed to the cross-tie, the cross-tie is moved out of theplate affixing mechanism 14 and down outfeed conveyor system 16 (shownin FIG. 1).

Plate positioning member 706 contacts and pushes the plate. Althoughthere may be a mechanical connection formed between plate positioningmember 706 and the tie-plate, a mechanical connection is unnecessary andmay actually interfere with the positioning of the tie-plate because theconnection may inadvertently catch and move the plate out of position onthe cross-tie. Thus, plate positioning member 706 is formed with aprofile that corresponds to the shape of the tie-plate, which will mostcommonly be a flat surface. The flat surface is placed against thetie-plate to push the tie-plate smoothly and uniformly into position onthe cross tie. The tie-plates may then be aligned by or be positioned inalignment with a plate gauge 610 (shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and describedbelow). The tie-plates are pushed across a surface 710, which supportsthe plates in a substantially level manner.

FIG. 6 depicts a front view of a plate affixing mechanism 14 inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. The plate affixingmechanism 14 may include a plate gauge 610. Plate gauge 610 engages andholds two or more plates in the proper position on a cross-tie as thecross-tie is spiked. In FIG. 6, plate gauge 610 is shown in a positiongenerally superior to a cross-tie. Plate gauge 610 is positioned abovethe cross-tie before the plates are positioned on the cross-tie. Theplate gauge 610 therefore does not interfere with the placement of thecross-ties by the plate positioning mechanism 702 discussed above.

FIG. 7 depicts a front view of plate gauge 610 lowered and holding theplates in place on a cross-tie. In addition, small adjustments may bemade to the position of the plates on the cross-tie when plate gauge 610is lowered onto the plates. The use of plate gauge 610 ensures that theplates are spaced the appropriate distance apart, and that the platesare substantially parallel to receive the rails in parallel. Plate gauge610 may be lowered onto the plates by a hydraulic cylinder (not shown)directly or indirectly attached to the plate gauge 610. Alternativemeans may be used to lower and raise the plate gauge 610.

Plate gauge 610 may include plate engaging portions 612, which areconfigured to engage and hold the plates. Plate gauge 610 may beconfigured to have a length that, when the plate engaging portions 612hold the plates, the plates are spaced a distance apart corresponding tothe distance between rails. Plate gauge 610 is removably attached to theplate affixing mechanism 14 and alternative gauges 610 may be associatedwith plate affixing mechanism 14. Gauge 610 positions and holds theplates in position, assuring the proper distance between the plates andthe proper parallel orientation.

FIG. 12 depicts one end of the plate gauge 610 holding a plate duringthe spiking process, in accordance with an aspect of the invention. Asalso shown in FIG. 7, the plate gauge 610 holds the plate on thecross-tie. One of the plate engaging portions 612 fits within the plateand holds the plate in position as spikes are driven through the plateand into the cross-tie. As shown, a variety of ports are formed in theplate that extend through the plate to receive the spikes. The platesmay be spiked in at least one corner, but may be spiked in two, three orfour corners. The spike may be driven so that the head of the spikerests on the plate, or alternatively, the spike may be left partially upas shown in FIG. 12. The spikes may be placed in ports that are formedclose to the rail engaging portion of the plate, or alternatively in theports formed towards the edge of the plates.

A front view of one embodiment of a plate affixing mechanism 14 is shownin FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the plate affixing mechanism 14 includesa spike driving mechanism 602. Spike driving mechanism 602 is describedmore fully in U.S. Pat. No. 3,405,649 to Foxx et al., issued on Oct. 15,1968, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety. The plate affixing mechanism 14 may include two spike drivingmechanisms 602, each positioned to affix a plate to a cross-tie.Briefly, each spike driving mechanism 602 may include a spike drivingmember 604, a spike guiding rail 606 (shown in FIG. 10), and a spike jaw608. Railroad spikes may be placed on the guiding rail 606 and gravityfed into spike jaw 608. Spike jaw 608 may hold a spike in place untilthe spike driving mechanism 602 is positioned relative to the cross-tieand plate. The spike driving member 604 may then be hydraulically drivenonto the spike to drive the spike through the railroad plate and intothe cross-tie. The spike driving mechanism shown and described herein isshown for example purposes only, as other spike driving mechanisms maybe used, including but not limited to manually driving the spikes intothe plates.

The tie-plates are positioned on the cross-tie by plate positioningmechanism 702, described herein. Gauge 610 may be then be brought intocontact with the plates, more specifically plate engaging portions 612contact the plates and hold the plates on the cross-tie. Spike drivingmechanism 602 then positions a spike above a port formed in the plateand brings the spike into contact with the cross-tie through the plate.For example, spike driving mechanism 602 may be hydraulically raised,lowered, laterally, and/or longitudinally moved to position the spike.The spike is then driven into the cross-tie by spike driving member 604striking the spike. Spike driving member 602 may strike the spike asingle time to push the spike to a desired depth or may strike the spikemultiple times to drive the spike to the desired depth. The spike maydriven completely into the cross-tie such that the head of the spiketouches the plate. Alternatively, the spike may be driven partially intothe cross-tie and be left in an up position, such that there is spacebetween the head of the spike and the plate.

One embodiment of the back of plate-fixing mechanism 14 in accordancewith the principles of the invention is shown in FIG. 10. The cross-tiepre-pate apparatus 10 may include a platform 1000, provided for accessto the spike driving mechanism 602, and more specifically spike guidingrail 606. Plate fixing mechanism 14 may also include a table 1002attached to the plate-fixing mechanism 14. Table 1002 may include aplate guide 1004 for retaining a stack of plates. Plate guide 1004 mayinclude vertical members 1006 positioned to support a plurality ofplates. Plate guide 1004 may also include a shim 1008 which may beattached to one or more of vertical members 1006. Shim 1008 may beprovided to adjust the positioning of the plates within the stack toinsure proper positioning of the plate on the tie. A bin 1010 may alsobe formed on the top of table 1002. Bin 1010 may be provided to holdspikes. Plate positioning mechanism 702 is positioned inferior andattached to table 1002. Plate positioning mechanism 702 pushes a platefrom the bottom of the stack of plates within plate guide 1004.

Plate affixing mechanism 14 may also include a plurality of controls 620and in accordance with one embodiment of the invention are shown inFIGS. 6 and 7. Controls 620 are interfaced with the hydraulic cylindersand hydraulic motors of plate affixing mechanism 14 and infeed conveyorsystem 12. Controls 620 regulate the amount of hydraulic fluid/pressurethat is introduced into the hydraulic cylinders and engines discussedherein. The hydraulic cylinders may be operated to move, alternativelyand for example purposes, an infeed tie stop, a tie stop, a tiepositioning member, a plate positioning mechanism, and/or lift a portionof the outfeed conveyor system. Alternatively, one or more of thehydraulic motors may be engaged to operate the infeed conveyor and/orthe plurality of rotatable cylinders. Plate affixing mechanism 14 mayalso include a rotatable control guard 622. Rotatable control guard 622may be positioned in a first position as shown in FIG. 6. In the firstposition, the operator of plate affixing mechanism 14 is prevented fromcontacting plurality of controls 620. The operator can then manipulatethe spike driving mechanism 602 with reduced risk of accidentaloperation. Potential harm to the operator is therefore reduced.Rotatable control guard 622 may be rotated to a second position, whererotatable control guard 622 is disposed between the operator and spikedriving mechanism 602. In the second position, rotatable control guard622 protects the operator from the spiking operation.

In other solutions, the cross-tie was removed from the plate-affixingmechanism by a kick or member that pushed the completed cross-tielaterally across the rollers or conveyors. Several cross-ties were thenmoved as a bundle by a gravity dump lifting mechanism.

FIGS. 8 and 9 depict one example of the interface between second end 20and outfeed conveyor system 16 in accordance with an aspect of thepresent disclosure. A stop 802 may be positioned at the distal end ofoutfeed conveyor system 16 to stop the cross-tie from rolling off of theoutfeed conveyor system 16. Outfeed conveyor system 16 may also includerollers 804, which freely rotate to permit the cross-tie to advance tostop 802. Outfeed conveyor system 16 may also include a substantiallyvertical member 806, configured to a side of outfeed conveyor 16 toprevent the cross-tie from rolling off of outfeed conveyor 16 in theimproper direction. Second end 802 may also include a hydraulic cylinder808, indirectly attached to the rollers 804 and attached to a hydraulicsupport 810. In FIG. 8, outfeed conveyor system 16 is shown in anorientation to receive a cross-tie with affixed plates. In FIG. 9,outfeed conveyor system 16 is shown in a lifted position that causes across-tie with affixed plates to slide off of the outfeed conveyorsystem 16 and onto an angled portion 812.

One example of outfeed conveyor system 16 may include a frame 900 androllers 902 disposed on frame 900. The rollers are positioned to allow across-tie to pass to an end 904 of outfeed conveyor system 16; that isaway from the plate-fixing mechanism 14. Outfeed conveyor 16 may beangled relative to the ground such that the cross-tie is moved to theother end of the outfeed conveyor system 16 and over rollers 902 bygravity. The pre-plated cross-ties can then be collected and bundled asneeded for transportation or use.

According to an aspect of the invention, the cross-tie pre-plateapparatus 10 is modular and can be disassembled and easily transportedto a separate location. This allows for the assembly of pre-platedrailroad cross-ties at any substantially desirable location. Dieselengine 30 provides hydraulic and electric power at remote locations. Inaddition the infeed conveyor system 12, the plate affixing mechanism 14and the outfeed conveyor system 16 may be disassembled and detached fromone another and separately loaded onto a truck. The platform 1000 mayalso be detached and/or pivoted to reduce the profile of the plateaffixing mechanism 10.

Referring now to FIG. 14 a flow diagram depicts the method 1400 ofpre-plating a cross-tie in accordance with an aspect of the invention.The steps and the order of the steps are shown for illustrative purposesand should not be considered limiting. The steps below are listed interms of a single cross-tie but it should be understood the multiplecross-ties may be manipulated at once in some or all of the steps.Method 1400 may include the step of placing a cross-tie on an infeedconveyor 1402 using a wheel loader or other known means of loadingcross-ties onto an infeed conveyor. Method 1400 may include moving across-tie toward a plate affixing mechanism 1404 for affixing platesonto cross-ties. Optionally, method 1400 may include temporarilystopping a cross-tie on an infeed conveyor 1406 to orient the cross-tiesand to prevent the ties from jamming. Method 1400 may also includemoving a cross-tie into a plate affixing mechanism 1408 so that thecross-tie may be positioned for the placement and spiking of the plates.The step of positioning a cross-tie using a tie stop and/or a tiepositioning member 1410 so that the plates are aligned to be paralleland in the proper orientation, may also be included in method 1400.Method 1400 may include positioning plates on a cross-tie 1412. Method1400 may also include holding plates on a cross-tie with a gauge 1414 sothat there is no unintended movement of the plates during the spikingprocess. The step of driving spikes through plates into a cross-tie 1416may also be included. Method 1400 may also include moving a cross-tieonto an outfeed conveyor 1418 to bundle and/or remove the cross-tie fromthe apparatus. Method 1400 may also include removing a cross-tie from anapparatus 1420.

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and describedin detail in the disclosure, the disclosure is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character. All changes andmodifications that come within the spirit of the invention are to beconsidered within the scope of the disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A railroad cross-tie pre-plating apparatusfor fastening at least two tie-plates to a cross-tie, the apparatuscomprising: a cross-tie conveyor, comprising a first end and a secondend; a cross-tie positioning mechanism positioned proximate the secondend, the cross-tie positioning mechanism comprising: a stop member,configured to prevent the movement of the cross-tie along the cross-tieconveyor; a positioning rail, positioned on a lateral side of thecross-tie conveyor; and a positioning member, configured to position thecross-tie against the positioning rail; at least two tie-platepositioning mechanisms, each configured to position at least one of theat least two tie-plates on the cross-tie, each tie-plate positioningmechanism comprising a tie-plate positioning member, the tie-platepositioning member configured to engage the tie-plate and position thetie-plate on the cross-tie; and a gauge positioned superior to thecross-tie positioning mechanism and configured to hold the at least twotie-plates in position relative to one another as the at least twotie-plates are fastened to the cross-tie with spikes.
 2. The apparatusof claim 1, further comprising an in-feed system, the in-feed systemcomprising: an in-feed conveyor configured to support a plurality ofcross-ties and to move the cross-ties toward the cross-tie conveyor; andan in-feed stop member connected to the in-feed conveyor and configuredto selectively prevent the motion of cross-ties toward the cross-tieconveyor.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the in-feed stop memberis rotatably connected to the in-feed conveyor.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 3, wherein the in-feed stop member is hydraulically rotatable. 5.The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the in-feed conveyor is substantiallyperpendicular to the cross-tie conveyor.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising an out-feed system, the out-feed system comprising:an out-feed conveyor positioned in line with the cross-tie conveyor andconfigured to receive the cross-tie with the at least two tie-platesaffixed thereto; a finished cross-tie conveyor configured to receive thecross-tie with the at least two tie-plates affixed thereto; a liftingmechanism engaging the out-feed conveyor and configured to lift theout-feed conveyor to move the cross-tie with the at least two tie-platesaffixed thereto onto the finished cross-tie conveyor.
 7. The apparatusof claim 6, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises a hydrauliccylinder.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: at least onecontrol mechanism attached to the cross-tie conveyor and configured tomanipulate the apparatus; at least one guard connected to the cross-tieconveyor and disposed above the at least one control mechanism, the atleast one guard selectively positionable in at least two positions,comprising a first position and a second position; and wherein in thefirst position the at least one guard is disposed above the at least onecontrol mechanism and in the second position the at least one guard isperpendicularly disposed in front of at least one of the cross-tiepositioning mechanisms.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stopmember comprises at least one stop shim, the stop shim removably mountedon the stop member and configured to control the position of thecross-tie on the cross-tie conveyor.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the positioning member comprises a generally cylindrical memberoriented parallel to the positioning rail.
 11. The apparatus of claim10, wherein the positioning member comprises a hydraulic cylinderconnected to the cylindrical member and configured to position thegenerally cylindrical member against the positioning rail.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the at least two tie-platepositioning mechanisms further comprises a hydraulic cylinder connectedto the tie-plate positioning member and is configured to position thetie-plate on the cross-tie.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein eachof the at least two tie-plate positioning mechanisms further comprises atie-plate container configured to retain at least two vertically stackedtie-plates.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the pre-platecontainer further comprises at least one tie-plate shim placed withinthe tie-plate container to align the at least two vertically stackedtie-plates.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gauge comprises atleast two plate engaging portions having a width substantially equal tothe width of a railroad rail and a gauge member connected to the atleast two plate engaging portions.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15,wherein the length between the at least two plate engaging portions issubstantially equal to the distance between two railroad rails.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a diesel engine coupled to ahydraulic pump and configured to supply hydraulic fluid.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 17, further comprising at least one hydraulic coolercoupled to the hydraulic pump and configured to cool the hydraulicfluid.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a frame, theframe connected to and supporting the cross-tie conveyor and the atleast two plate positioning mechanisms.